Buffalo Bills News - June 4, 2002

Camp Report: Bills Move On Without John Fina [5:22 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
The Bills began their June organized team activity on Tuesday with an indoor workout in the team's 95,000 square-foot fieldhouse and for the first time since 1991 season, Bills' jersey number 70 was worn by someone other than John Fina.

Little money, lots of interest in June 1 cuts [5:03 PM]Pro Football Weekly reports:
OT John Fina’s game is quickness, but with a bad leg last year he had no quickness. Since Fina has had a decade in the league already, he will earn close to a $1 million base salary if he makes the minimum. Where might he fit? Fina would fit in St. Louis, which has nothing behind Orlando Pace at left tackle.

Jury awards Dunaway children $579,000 in wrongful death case [4:55 PM]AP reports:
Former NFL defensive lineman Jim Dunaway was ordered to pay his children more than $500,000 in the wrongful death of his wife. Jim Dunaway was charged in 1988 two days after Nonniel Dunaway's body was found by a relative in the half-empty pool outside a house she owned in rural Marion County. Jim Dunaway, selected in the second round of the 1963 draft by Buffalo, played nine seasons with the Bills and was a member of the Miami Dolphins' undefeated Super Bowl championship team in 1972.

Josh Reed named male recipient of the James J. Corbett Award [10:09 AM]LSU Sports reports:
Josh Reed was named the recipient of the James J. Corbett Award, the Nokia Sugar Bowl announced on Friday. The Corbett Award is presented annually by the Sugar Bowl and is given to the top male and female amateur athletes in Louisiana. Reed, a second round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills, was honored for his achievements during the 2001 season.

Moore Than A Football Player [9:26 AM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Tom Donahoe has stressed he wants to build the Bills around well-rounded athletes that are strong players on the field and strong persons off the field. A seasoned 10-year vet, who's very active in the community, Dave Moore fits this profile.

Bills say goodbye to Fina [9:22 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"I can only hope that the next phase of my life will be as enriching as the last 10 years have been for me in Buffalo and with the Bills."'

Reed running a new route [9:21 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'In addition to pursuing a broadcasting career, Reed also is interested in doing some acting. He owns a residence in Los Angeles and has made several contacts in the television and movie business.'

Fina 'proud' of years with Bills [5:31 AM]D and C reports:
'His fate was all but sealed when the Bills spent the fourth overall pick in April's draft on Texas tackle Mike Williams. They also signed free agent Marcus Price for backup help. Still, Fina leaves without any bitterness.'

It's Final For Fina [9:12 PM]WIVB-TV reports:
'"I am pleased, proud an honored to have been a part of the Buffalo Bills franchise for the past 10 years and equally proud to have been an employee of Ralph Wilson, a fine and honorable man." said Fina today from his home in Tucson, AZ. "I'll truly miss living in Buffalo. My family and I have come to love the city and everything about it. The kindness and generosity that has been extended to us by the Buffalo community is something we'll always cherish and will always lead us to return. It was the place where I enjoyed some of the best times of my life. I can only hope that the next phase of my life will be as enriching as the last 10 years have been for me in Buffalo and with the Bills."'

Bills release Fina [8:56 PM]AP reports:
'The Bills are estimated to be about $4.7 million under the salary cap, more than enough room to sign their draft picks, including No. 1 choice Mike Williams of Texas, who is will help fill Fina's spot.'

Fina not officially on waiver wire yet [6:51 PM]ESPN reports:
Fina and Brown didn't appear on Monday's waiver wire but their teams announced that they have been released. Officially, he will appear on the Tuesday waivers, which delays his ability to talk to interested teams for a day. Cutting Fina saves $3 million this year but costs $5,693,526 in dead money against 2003 salary cap. Ex-Bill Glenn Parket was going to cut Tuesday but he made it to the office in time to fail a physical. Parker, who may retire from the NFL, was placed on the waiver wire as released-failed physical.

WGR Exclusive: Bryson Trade Rumors More Than Rumors [6:03 PM]WGR reports:
Two NFL sources, one very close to the Eagles, have confirmed for WGR Sportsradio 55 that the Bills and Eagles have had talks. The Bills asking price at this point for Bryson is a day-one draft pick because he’s considered starter material, but the Eagles, who are only looking for a backup to Duce Staley, are offering no more than a fifth round selection right now.

5th Down Book: Top Seasons [5:54 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
In the golden decade of Bills football, each season was simply super. The players were perfect. No matter what the score or situation, you always had a feeling that the Bills would win.

Fina Cut By The Bills [5:09 PM]ESN reports:
John Fina has had nothing but good things to say about Buffalo "My family and I have come to love the city and everything about it."

Bills Release John Fina [4:48 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Fina was the last player on the Bills roster who had played on any of the franchise’s four Super Bowl teams.

Talks with Riemersma might linger into July [4:32 PM]by Fanball Staff reports:
Jay Riemersma is willing to redo his contract in order to remain with the Bills, but he is not as cool with taking a pay cut to make it happen.

Bills Uniform History Fact Of The Day [3:25 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Fact #12: Since they switched to the red, white, and blue look in 1962, the numbers on the Bills uniform have remained pretty consistent. The blue jerseys have featured white numbers outlined in red and the white jerseys have had blue numbers outlined in red. The most-issued jersey in team history...

Uniform University With Stan Herman [1:43 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
Stan Herman, award-winning designer and Jet Blue uniform designer discusses his 30 years of experience and his thoughts on the Bills and other professional sports uniforms in this in-depth interview.

Rockpile Renaissance [1:14 PM]The Buffalo News reports:
From 1960-72, there was nothing bigger than Buffalo Bills game days, where residents fired up their grills and charged fans $2 to park in their driveways. During baseball season, foul balls landed on Dodge Street followed by a mad scramble for the balls by the neighborhood kids. Meeting the players was an even bigger thrill.

Evolution Of The Bills Helmet [12:55 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
In 1974, the Bills decided that they were a team "no longer standing still." The team adopted a new official team logo, the charging buffalo now familiar to modern NFL fans.

June 1, 2002

Curtis Alexander leads Galaxy in win over Admirals [11:50 PM]NFL Europe reports:
Running back Curtis Alexander punched in the decisive touchdown to break a 13-13 tie and Admirals hearts and remain on course for a World Bowl X clash with rival Rhein Fire. He also had 20 carries for 88 yards including a 25 yard run and a winning TD run. He also had three catches for 56 yards including a 52 yard reception being pushed out of bounds at 2 yard line. David Dinkins on opposite side had 4 runs for 14 yards. Despite being #2 in the depth chart in name, another QB was put in when Admirals QB was injured.

NFL investigates Moulds for supplement endorsement [6:08 PM]AP reports:
'"If a company makes something on our banned list, you can't endorse anything that company sells," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle in a story published on Saturday. "(Moulds) may not be aware of that side of the policy."'

Donahoe / Riemersma's contract proposal details [1:00 PM]ESPN reports:
Agent Jack Wirth and GM Tom Donahoe have discussed a new, four-year contract, but it would mean reducing his compensation this season to about $1.6 million. The Buffalo proposal calls for a two-tiered signing bonus, in which the Bills would have to pay Riemersma a second signing bonus next spring to exercise the option on the 2003-2005 seasons.